The scene is set in the morning, with the first light of day breaking and fog rising from the Oxus stream. The Tartar camp is quiet and the men are asleep, except for Sohrab who has been awake all night. Sohrab gets dressed, equips himself with his sword and horseman’s cloak, and leaves his tent. He walks through the black Tartar tents, which are clustered like bee-hives along the low flat strand of the Oxus.
Sohrab reaches a hillock where a clay fort used to stand, but now Peran-Wisa’s tent, a dome of laths covered with felts, is built there. Sohrab enters the tent and finds Peran-Wisa sleeping on a bed of rugs and felts, with his weapons nearby. Peran-Wisa wakes up upon hearing Sohrab’s footsteps and asks who he is and if there is any news or alarm.
Sohrab, who is seeking advice from Peran-Wisa, reveals that he has been sleepless and restless all night. He explains that King Afrasiab instructed him to seek Peran-Wisa’s counsel and treat him as a son. Sohrab expresses his loyalty to Afrasiab and his bravery in battle, even at a young age. He mentions his success in carrying the Tartar ensigns and defeating the Persians. However, Sohrab’s ultimate goal is to find his father, Rustum, whom he has never met. He hopes that one day they will meet on the battlefield and that Rustum will acknowledge him as his worthy son.
Sohrab proposes a plan to Peran-Wisa: he suggests that both armies take a break for the day while he challenges the bravest Persian lords to a one-on-one combat. If he wins, he believes that Rustum will hear of his victory. If he loses, he states that the dead do not need anyone and have no claim to kinship. Sohrab emphasizes that a single combat will bring more fame and recognition than a common fight between armies, where many names are forgotten.
Peran-Wisa expresses concern for Sohrab’s restless heart and advises him to stay with the Tartar chiefs and fight alongside them rather than seeking out his unseen father, Rustum, through battle. Peran-Wisa suggests that Sohrab should seek Rustum in peace and present himself as an unwounded son, but warns him that Rustum is not currently present in the frontlines of battle like he used to be.
Peran-Wisa acknowledges that he cannot control Sohrab’s desire for single combat and acknowledges the danger and potential death that awaits him on the battlefield. Despite his concerns, Peran-Wisa grants Sohrab’s wish to seek his father and prepares himself for Sohrab’s departure by dressing in warm clothing and taking a ruler’s staff instead of a sword. Peran-Wisa leaves his tent and calls his herald to accompany him as he goes out.
The sun has risen and cleared the fog, revealing the broad Oxus river and glittering sands. The Tartar horsemen, led by Haman, have emerged from their tents and gathered in the open plain. The Tartars consist of different groups, including the King’s guard from Bokhara and Khiva, the Toorkmuns of the south, and various other tribes from Attruck and the Caspian sands.
These horsemen are described in terms of their appearance, such as wearing black sheep-skin caps and wielding long spears. On the other side, the Persians have formed their own troops, including the Ilyats of Khorassan and the royal troops of Persia.
Peran-Wisa, a prominent figure among the Tartars, comes forward with his herald to address both sides. He proposes a truce for the day and suggests that each side chooses a champion for a one-on-one battle between Sohrab, the Tartar champion, and a Persian champion.
Peran-Wisa’s words about Sohrab’s abilities and potential filled the Tartar squadrons with pride and hope. The Persians, filled with fear, held their breath like pedlars crossing the Indian Caucasus mountains. Ferood and other Persian chiefs came to counsel and discuss the Tartar challenge. Gudurz suggested seeking Rustum’s help.
Gudurz volunteered to find Rustum and inform him about the challenge, hoping he would forget his anger and fight. Ferood agreed to let Sohrab arm himself and find a champion to face him. Gudurz went to Rustum’s tent and found him sitting with a falcon. Rustum was delighted to see him and asked for news.
Gudurz informed Rustum about the Tartar challenge and Sohrab’s abilities, emphasizing the need for Rustum’s help. The armies were at a standstill, waiting for a champion to be chosen. Rustum’s assistance was crucial for the Persians to avoid defeat.
Rustum, an older warrior, is being criticized for not facing Sohrab, a young and brave warrior who seeks to challenge him. Rustum defends himself by stating that he values his fame and does not want to risk it by fighting a younger opponent. Gudurz, another warrior, warns Rustum that people may perceive him as hoarding his fame and avoiding younger challengers.
Rustum dismisses Gudurz’s words and declares that he will fight, but in plain armor and without any special devices on his shield. Rustum prepares for battle, donning his armor and riding his renowned horse, Ruksh. As Rustum appears before the Persian host, he is hailed by his own people, but the Tartars do not recognize him. Rustum’s arrival is compared to a diver returning to his wife with precious pearls, emphasizing his importance and value to the Persians.
Rustum, a Persian warrior, advances to the Persian front and encounters Sohrab, a young and unknown warrior. Rustum observes Sohrab and wonders about his identity and intentions. Rustum tries to persuade Sohrab to join him and fight for Iran, offering him the opportunity to be like a son to him.
Sohrab recognizes Rustum and asks if he is indeed the legendary warrior. Rustum, suspicious of Sohrab’s motives, contemplates the possibility of Sohrab using his confession to avoid fighting and gain praise. Rustum challenges Sohrab to either prove his boast or surrender, warning him of the consequences if he chooses to fight.
Sohrab, undeterred by Rustum’s intimidation, acknowledges Rustum’s power but asserts that success is uncertain and depends on fate. Sohrab compares their situation to swimmers on a wave of fate, unsure of where it will take them.
There is witness of a battle between two warriors, Rustum and Sohrab. Rustum throws his spear at Sohrab, but he manages to dodge it. Sohrab retaliates and strikes Rustum’s shield, but the spear doesn’t penetrate. Rustum then grabs his club and attempts to strike Sohrab, but he evades the blow. Rustum falls to his knees, and Sohrab has the opportunity to kill him, but he chooses not to. Sohrab instead speaks to Rustum, expressing admiration for his strength and suggesting they make peace. Sohrab proposes they sit down, share wine, and talk about Rustum’s heroic deeds. He urges Rustum to save his strength for the enemies they will face together. Sohrab desires peace between them.
Rustum, filled with rage, confronts Sohrab and insults him, accusing him of being a dancer and a coiner of sweet words. Sohrab is provoked by Rustum’s taunts and draws his sword, and they engage in a fierce battle. The conflict between Rustum and Sohrab is described as unnatural, with the sun darkened and a whirlwind enveloping them.
Rustum strikes Sohrab’s shield, but fails to penetrate his skin, and Sohrab cuts off Rustum’s crest and horsehair plume. The battle intensifies with thunder, lightning, and a cry from Ruksh, Rustum’s horse. Despite the chaos, Sohrab continues to fight and strikes Rustum’s helm, shattering his sword. Rustum raises his spear and shouts his name, causing Sohrab to recoil in fear and be impaled by the spear. The gloom dissipates, the sun reappears, and both armies witness Rustum standing unharmed and Sohrab wounded on the ground.
Rustum, bitter and smiling, confronts Sohrab, accusing him of planning to kill a Persian lord and take his trophies to Afrasiab’s tent. Rustum believed that Sohrab hoped to provoke him into a fight and then manipulate him into sparing his life. Rustum mocks Sohrab for being foolish and getting killed by an unknown man, claiming that he will be more valued by jackals than his friends or father.
Sohrab, fearless, responds to Rustum, stating that his vaunting is in vain because Rustum did not kill him. Sohrab believes that Rustum is responsible for his death and blames his own filial heart for being unable to fight back. Sohrab admits that Rustum’s name and something about him troubled his heart, causing him to falter and be vulnerable to Rustum’s attack.
Sohrab warns Rustum that his death will be avenged by his father, who will punish Rustum. The poem then uses a metaphor of a hunter killing a breeding eagle and its mate returning to find their young left alone, unable to comprehend the loss. Rustum, with a cold and disbelieving voice, denies the existence of a son and dismisses the idea of fathers and revenge.
The confrontation between Rustum and Sohrab reveals a complex relationship between a father and son who are unaware of their true connection. Sohrab’s death is a result of a misunderstanding and miscommunication between the two characters. Sohrab’s dying words foreshadow the vengeance that will be sought by his father, adding a sense of impending conflict. The metaphor of the breeding eagle and its mate highlights the theme of loss and the inability to comprehend the consequences of one’s actions. Rustum’s denial of having a son suggests a deeper emotional conflict within him.
Sohrab, speaking with a failing voice, reveals that he is the lost son of Rustum. Sohrab believes that the news of his existence will eventually reach Rustum and cause him great grief and a desire for vengeance. Sohrab expresses pity for his mother, who will never see him return from the Tartar camp with spoils and honor. Sohrab predicts that a dark rumor will spread until his mother learns of his death in battle.
Sohrab weeps as he thinks of his mother and his own impending death. Rustum, although hearing Sohrab’s words, is skeptical that he is truly his son due to previous information that his child was a girl. Rustum reminisces about his own youth, Sohrab’s mother, and the pleasant life they once had together. Rustum sees Sohrab’s lifeless body and expresses grief, acknowledging that Sohrab is a son he could have loved. Rustum states that Sohrab is mistaken or has been misled, as Rustum had no son, only a daughter who is unaware of their existence or the realities of war.
Sohrab, in a fit of anger, wants to draw out the spear and die, but he first wants to convince his opponent, Rustum, of his identity. Sohrab claims to have a seal on his arm that was given to his mother by Rustum, which would prove that he is Rustum’s son. Rustum is shocked by this claim and becomes speechless, eventually collapsing to the ground.
Sohrab tries to revive Rustum, who regains consciousness but is filled with horror and grief. Sohrab tries to comfort Rustum, explaining that his fate was written in heaven and that they should focus on their reunion. Rustum and Sohrab embrace, and their grief affects both armies and even their horse, Ruksh. Rustum scolds Ruksh for grieving, saying that he should have died before bringing Rustum to this field.
Sohrab recognizes the horse, Ruksh, as his father’s horse and expresses his admiration for it. Sohrab laments that he will never have the opportunity to visit his father’s home or experience the places his father has been. Sohrab contrasts his own experiences among his father’s enemies with Ruksh’s privileged life. Rustum, Sohrab’s father, expresses his desire to die and be buried in the Oxus river.
Sohrab urges his father to live and fulfill great deeds, while acknowledging his own fate of dying young. Sohrab pleads with his father not to harm the men who follow him and asks to be taken to Seistan to be mourned and buried. Sohrab requests a grand tomb and pillar to ensure he is not forgotten.
Rustum, in a mournful voice, promises his son Sohrab that he will burn his tents, leave the army, and take him to Seistan. Rustum plans to mourn for Sohrab alongside his friends and bury him in a lovely earth with a stately mound and a far-seen pillar. Rustum decides to spare Sohrab’s host and let them go in peace, expressing his regret for all the people he has slain.
Sohrab, at the point of death, tells Rustum that he will have peace when he sails home with the other peers of Kai Khosroo after burying his master. Rustum expresses his desire for that day to come soon and says he will endure until then if fate allows. Sohrab smiles at Rustum, takes out the spear from his side, and his life slowly fades away. Sohrab dies on the bloody sand, and Rustum covers his face with his horseman’s cloak and sits beside him, resembling the fallen pillars of Persepolis.
The setting is a solemn waste where two armies are gathered, along with a lone pair of individuals. Night falls and a cold fog emerges from the Oxus river, causing the surroundings to darken. The armies begin to set up camp and have their meals, with the Persians choosing the open sands and the Tartars staying by the river.
Rustum and his son are left alone. The majestic Oxus river continues to flow through the Chorasmian waste, under the solitary moon, towards the polar star. It passes through Orgunjè, remaining bright and large, until it encounters sandbanks and obstacles that slow its progress. The Oxus river eventually reaches its destination, the Aral Sea, where its waters open up and the stars reflect upon its surface.
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